Minnesota speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state Minnesota's main statutory speed limits.
• You can explain the basic speed law and when to drive below the limit.
• You can describe what to do when a school bus stops with its red lights flashing.
• You can apply the Move Over Law and the zipper merge.

What you need to know and understand

• Unless signs say otherwise: 10 mph in alleys, 30 mph in urban districts and 55 mph on other roads.
• Interstates outside large urbanized areas can be 70 mph, and 65 mph inside them; non-interstate expressways and freeways can be 65 mph.
• On two-lane highways posted 55 mph or more, you may go 10 mph over the limit only while lawfully passing.
• Driving over 100 mph means losing your license for at least six months.
• Speeding in a work zone when workers are present carries a $300 fine.
• Stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, even if the stop arm has not swung out; the minimum fine for not stopping is $500.

Speed: the limit and the conditions

Minnesota's basic speed law says your speed must be reasonable for the conditions, and going faster than the posted limit is illegal. Fines grow if you are 20 mph or more over the limit. Some roads also have minimum limits, and driving below them in normal conditions is illegal.

School zones may have lower limits when children are present, shown by signs. On roads posted 50 mph or more, the limit drops to 45 mph in a work zone when a lane is closed and workers are present, unless a different limit is posted.

School buses and the Move Over Law

Flashing yellow lights mean a school bus is about to stop. Never pass on the right of a bus showing yellow or red lights. When the bus is stopped with its red lights flashing, stop at least 20 feet away, whether you are behind the bus or facing it, even if the stop arm has not swung out. Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing. On a divided road with a median, traffic on the opposite side does not need to stop.

When an emergency vehicle, tow truck, road crew, utility, postal or garbage truck is stopped with lights flashing, move over a lane if you can do so safely. If you cannot, slow down and pass with care.

Other laws worth knowing

• Signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
• Use headlights from sunset to sunrise, and whenever you cannot see 500 feet ahead.
• Keep right on multi-lane highways except to pass or turn left.
• At a lane closure in heavy traffic, use the zipper merge: stay in your lane to the merge point and take turns.
• Hands-free rules apply to every driver; drivers under 18 on a permit or provisional license may not use a phone at all.

Common mistakes

• Driving at the limit in snow or fog. The basic speed law expects you to slow down.
• Merging early and braking hard at a lane closure. In slow, heavy traffic, zipper merge at the end.
• Passing a school bus on the right while its yellow lights flash. That is illegal.
• Staying in the lane next to a stopped squad car when you could safely move over.

Test yourself: Minnesota speed limits and key traffic laws

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Learning to Drive in Minnesota
• Minnesota Hands-Free Law for New Drivers
• Minnesota Permit Test